The Importance of Being Earnest

The 'Importants' of Being Earnest are that it wasn't all that important!!
Seriously though, we didn't go with the intention of pulling it to bits, suffice to say, elasticated mens boots weren't invented in those
days, nor were stiletto heels and black stockings and I'm not entirely sure that plastic ivy all over your garden was either, and one certainly didn't pretend to water ones plastic roses with pretend water from a tiny child's watering can. My partner tells me that at some point Cecily says she's going to water the roses, however, they look suspiciously
like azaleas.

Ernest looked uncannily like David Coulthard and as for Gwendoline, she appeared to be a little unsure of what accent she was supposed to be using as it seemed to vary from plum-in-the-mouth English to strange French!!

By the way, on the photo display out in the foyer, a certain K Wallace is listed as 'Gendoline' and the programme lists a character as 'Earnest Worthing J.P.' Surely that should be Ernest although perhaps they were being a little too Earnest.

Apart from all that, it wasn't too bad really and well worth the effort.

From the following website:

http://www.northampton.gov.uk/museums/collections/Boot_and_Shoe/History_of_Shoes/19th_Century.htm

"The 19th Century is characterised by the predominance of boots both for men and women. Popular styles were the Blucher boot with an open tab front and lacing, cloth boots with side lacing, the elastic sided boot, the button boot, and the Balmoral boot, which was front laced with a closed tab."

Is looking like David Coulthard a good or a bad thing?

But I think the elastic-sided boot in that period was only found in women's footware, not men's.

Apparently you are wrong, if the following website is correct:

http://www.oldandsold.com/articles09/clothes-29.shtml

From which:

"VICTORIA, 1837-1901; THE VICTORIAN PERIOD

MEN

...

Footgear.—The boot known as "congress" with side insets of elastic which did away with fastening, and low heels, was the most popular form of foot covering for years. For evening wear, pumps were worn; these toward the end of the century were of patent leather. Men wore buttoned or laced shoes from the seventies on. Russet and various shades of tanned leather came into style during the last decade. Oxford ties of white canvas or tanned leather replaced them in summer."

Although it would appear they were out of fashion by Ernest's time.

Nevertheless, I believe my characterisation of Ernest is of a man suitably confident in his sexuality to feel comfortable wearing women's boots. Indeed, while on stage I also wear women's underwear and nipple clamps. (Are nipple clamps out of period?)

Picky, Picky .... more importantly what was the show like. I am sure with Dr. Douglas Sutherland-Bruce directing it would be just about perfect .... I know he has done a few times. I played the part of Jack in the KADS production back in 1993 - Douglas directed that production .... and it was great fun.

Earnest Ernest wrote:
>
> Nevertheless, I believe my characterisation of Ernest is of a
> man suitably confident in his sexuality to feel comfortable
> wearing women's boots. Indeed, while on stage I also wear
> women's underwear and nipple clamps. (Are nipple clamps out
> of period?)

I hate to tell you Earnest Ernest that, yes, nipple clamps are out of period.

As this year's other Ernest I, however, will be sporting a "Prince Albert", so named after the intimate item of jewelry worn by the late husband of Our Glorious Majesty Queen Victoria, and therefore not only in period but downright patriotic!
;-)

Hi Paul :)

Looking like David Coulthard is not a bad thing at all - and after all the 'sniping' thats gone on, may I offer my congratulations to you all on an entertaining evening.

Please read my comments - posted a little earlier today.

I always thought that "the play was the thing".

D McGarr wrote:
>
> Picky, Picky .... more importantly what was the show like. I
> am sure with Dr. Douglas Sutherland-Bruce directing it would
> be just about perfect .... I know he has done a few times. I
> played the part of Jack in the KADS production back in 1993 -
> Douglas directed that production .... and it was great fun.

We had the pleasure of attending Marloo Theatre's production of The Importance of Being Earnest last night, and were thoroughly entertained. Visually attractive with gorgeous costuming, millinery, and hairstyles, the play romped along, epigrams were delivered with relish by the cast, and it was really good to see that the cast were all of appropriate age and size for the parts.

As we would expect from Douglas Sutherland-Bruce, a man who respects and admires Oscar Wilde's writing, the direction was skilfully choreographed. Status characters had status positions, the two friends, Algernon and Earnest were obviously friends and were often blocked in unison, and the two new friends, Gwendolynne and Cecily moved together beautifully. It was great to see a play where the audience knew where the focus was, could sit back and watch the action without any distraction from other characters. Great discipline. It was also apparent that Douglas knew his play and was able to put his own interpretation on some of the best known lines in English speaking theatre and not slavishly follow the Dame Edith Evan's production.

This would be one of the better Oscar Wilde productions we have seen for quite a while. Yes, accents slipped from time to time, but the energy, and generosity of the actors was a credit to them.

Thank you Douglas, your cast and crew and to Les, Gwynne and Caroline, the F.O.H. gang for a lovely evening.

Thank you to George & Terry, to real critics who know their theatre..
After all the rubbish displayed on this forum about this production...
except for Lee Mathison & Complusory audience...

I for one have seen over 6 productions of this work( both pro & amt) and consider this an excellent realisation of a classic....

Ladies and Gentlemen:,

Just for a second, shall we take time out, step back away from this infestation of illusional and disillusioned jargon and remember what we are and why we are involved with the parody.

Do we really want those who look from outside in, to stop, look and be amused by this internal struggle between two farcical facets and think – “Typical”? What is more important: to have touched many or to be touched?

There’s enough sickness within this illusion we live, without adding to it. Our challenge is to touch those who have invited us into their minds and hearts and take them to that place where reality is what you tell them it is – you are their breath, their heart beat, their every thought – you touch and feel and in return receive all that is good and natural in an emotional expression of self awareness and then the connection – you are in return touched.

Reality returns hard and fast, like a bull in a china shop, once the curtain closes. But the seed has been planted and growth from within will envelop and evolve in time. Without full comprehension, you have probably been closer to that stranger than most of their friends will do in a lifetime.

You are all the possessors of this trust, this magic and this ability to see and feel deeper than most. The material appearance and participation is just the package – beyond, within is so much more. You are the gifted, the chosen few, the ones that really count – you make a difference, you entertain, but also touch, feel, move, engage, express, excite, depress, encourage and connect. Appreciate this day on day as you walk through the streets and gaze upon these empty headed zombies who are in search of the end.

Is the question to be “Ideal” or “Important” – NO! The question is “To be or not to be”

You decide ………… remove yourselves from this petty bitchiness and appreciate how lucky you are and how talented we all are for being a part of this final, magical, touching, experience. Don’t make the theatre anything less than wonderful. The stage is your microphone to your heart – trust it.

Am looking for a performance of The Importance of being Ernest which is playing now please